Basketball The Top NBA Players Of All Time

Originally by Ranker Community

1.6M votes 135.3k voters 1.4M views 821 items

List Rules Vote up and add the best pro basketball players to ever compete in the NBA.

When it comes to the top NBA players of all time, there's plenty of speculation and room for debate, though many may not think so. Though Michael Jordan is easily considered the greatest player ever, some may say players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Kevin Durant give him a run for his money. Who are the best NBA players? This list includes the best basketball players in NBA history, along with the top basketball players today.

Anyone can vote on the best NBA players here, which means these players are truly fan favorites. NBA fans can even add their own rankings to this list. Whether they have a famous jumper that just won't quit or ball-handling skills that leave their opponents spinning, these top 100 NBA players rule the hoop and the hardwood, and this list is a celebration of those skills. This list should answer who is the top 100, top 10, and best NBA player ever.

If you've ever asked, "Who's the greatest basketball player of all time?", look no further. Ranked by votes from thousands of fans, this list features the all time NBA GOATs, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Vote up the best basketball player ever, and those who follow close behind.

list ordered by

1

58,607 15,382

Michael JordanWashington Wizards, Chicago Bulls Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American former professional basketball player. He is also an entrepreneur, and principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte ...more

2

16,845 24,195

Julius ErvingPhiladelphia 76ers, New York Nets Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim. ...more

3

31,513 17,491

Kareem Abdul-JabbarLos Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. During his ...more

4

28,519 18,177

Wilt ChamberlinPhiladelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia Warriors Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA; ...more

5

32,266 19,355

Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons. ...more

6

25,581 14,792

Bill RussellBoston Celtics William Felton "Bill" Russell is an American retired professional basketball player. Russell played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to ...more

7

46,943 21,561

Lebron JamesCleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Standing at 6 ft 8 in and weighing 250 lbs., he has started ...more

8

16,810 15,346

Oscar RobertsonCincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks Oscar Palmer Robertson, nicknamed "The Big O", is a retired American National Basketball Association player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. The 6 ft 5 in, 220 ...more

9

32,502 15,456

Larry BirdBoston Celtics Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Since retiring as a player, he has been a mainstay ...more

10

22,155 11,180

Hakeem OlajuwonHouston Rockets, Toronto Raptors Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National ...more

11

39,044 22,496

Charine Day added Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He entered the NBA directly from high school, and has played for ...more

12

27,457 12,984

Shaquille O'NealPhoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is an American retired professional basketball player, former rapper, actor and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Standing 7 ft ...more

13

24,552 11,177

Tim DuncanSan Antonio Spurs Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player who has played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. The ...more

14

7,773 8,673

Elgin BaylorLos Angeles Lakers Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired American basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 13 seasons as a forward in the National Basketball Association for the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers, ...more

15

11,280 9,288

Isiah ThomasDetroit Pistons Isiah Lord Thomas III is a retired American basketball player who played professionally for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association. The 12-time NBA All-Star was named one of ...more

16

8,623 7,079

Dominique WilkinsAtlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star, and one of the best ...more

17

9,162 8,128

Moses MaloneWashington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers Moses Eugene Malone is an American retired Hall of Fame basketball player who starred in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association. A three-time NBA MVP ...more

18

8,169 7,553

Clyde DrexlerPortland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Clyde Austin Drexler (born June 22, 1962) is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Clyde the Glide," he was a ten-time All-Star during his career, and named ...more

19

5,097 6,324

George GervinChicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs George "The Iceman" Gervin is an American retired professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the ...more

20

8,323 6,746

Pete MaravichUtah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics Peter Press "Pistol Pete" Maravich was an American professional basketball player. He was born and raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Maravich ...more

21

13,112 8,621

Jerry WestLos Angeles Lakers Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. His nicknames include ...more

22

4,953 5,793

Walt FrazierCleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks Walter "Clyde" Frazier is an American former basketball player in the National Basketball Association. As their floor general, he led the New York Knicks to the franchise's only two ...more

23

13,768 8,572

Karl MaloneUtah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers Karl Anthony Malone, nicknamed "The Mailman" is a retired American professional basketball power forward. He spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the ...more

24

16,331 8,520

Allen IversonPhiladelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies Allen Ezail Iverson is an American retired professional basketball player who played for four different teams during 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played both the point ...more

25

11,016 6,195

David RobinsonSan Antonio Spurs David Maurice Robinson (born August 6, 1965) is an American retired professional basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ...more

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List Rules: Vote up and add the best pro basketball players to ever compete in the NBA.